What to do for our sick kids, the Barra Santos endive salad, and our favorite Christmas albums.

Plus, a nourishing Italian egg drop soup.

The Hardest Parts

Last month, our Hardest Parts series shared how sick Bruno was and our positive experience with an Italian pediatrician who came to our apartment to see him. Unfortunately, the cold season has continued, and we are still very much in it. Bruno got bronchitis after his ear infections, and over the last week, all the kids have been hit with a horrible head cold. The doctor prescribed a few different over-the-counter medicines and a nebulizer treatment to give Bruno, but his recovery has been the slowest out of everyone. So, I reached out to our community to see if anyone had any ideas on other remedies we could try, as I am desperate to get this house healthy before Christmas! It seems like a lot of us all over are dealing with a brutal cold and flu season. Here is a round-up of some of the suggestions people shared for what might help now and also what can boost their little immune systems moving forward. I figured we could all benefit from seeing what has been successful for others. Hope everyone feels better very soon!

1. Mary Ruth's Organic Toddler Multivitamin

2. Nebulizer with saline solution

3. Tasha Rose Elderberry Syrup and Victory Elixir

4. Vimergy Kids Zinc

5. Vimergy Kids Organic Liquid B12

6. ION Gut Support

7. Saline nasal spray and suctioning the nose daily

8. Beta Glucan Kids Gummies

9. Daily probiotics

10. Chamomile tea with Manuka honey

11. Humidifier in the bedroom

12. Eucalyptus chest balm

13. Epsom salt baths

14. Creating a steam room with the shower and adding a few drops of essential oils to the bottom of the shower

15. Avoiding dairy and gluten

16. Cold Calm Kids

17. Boiron Chestal Cough Syrup

18. Kids cough medicine that has Ivy Leaf Extract in it

19. Sea moss gummies

20. ChildLife First Defense Liquid Vitamins

21. Thyme Tea - boil thyme, ginger, and lemon slices. Then, sweeten with honey.

22. Boiron Pulsatilla

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The Barra Santos Endive Salad

I've been daydreaming about this salad since I returned home to Italy from Los Angeles. I was lucky to go to Barra Santos twice while there and could not get enough of this combo. Bright, refreshing, tangy, and crunchy, it's simple, perfect, and would be a lovely addition to your holiday meals. And, if you can't find Malvarosa cheese, you can substitute Manchego or Pecorino Toscana, and it will be equally delicious.

THE BARRA SANTOS ENDIVE SALAD

Serves 4

• 1/4 cup raw almonds

• 4 small endive, ends trimmed leaves left whole

• 2 navel oranges, skin cut off and orange segmented

• 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves

• Malvarosa or manchego cheese

SHERRY + SMOKED PAPRIKA VINAIGRETTE